Best Equity Capital Markets Lawyers in Nea Erythraia

1. About Equity Capital Markets Law in Nea Erythraia, Greece

Equity Capital Markets (ECM) law in Greece governs the issuance, offering, listing and trading of equity securities. In Nea Erythraia, as in the broader Athens metropolitan area, ECM activities are supervised by national and European regulators and implemented through Greek laws, regulatory acts, and the rules of the Athens Exchange (ATHEX). The framework focuses on investor protection, market integrity, and orderly access to capital for issuers ranging from startups to established enterprises.

Typical ECM matters include initial public offerings (IPOs), follow-on or secondary offerings, private placements, rights issues, and corporate actions affecting listed shares. Companies seeking to list or issue securities must navigate due diligence, prospectus requirements, and ongoing disclosure obligations. Local counsel coordinates with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and ATHEX to ensure compliance and timely approvals. For Nea Erythraia residents and businesses, having a Greek ECM lawyer helps translate regulatory requirements into practical steps and documents.

In practice, ECM work in Greece blends national statutes with EU regulations. Issuers prepare formal prospectuses, seek regulatory clearance, and then list on ATHEX or another regulated market. Ongoing compliance includes periodic reporting, market conduct rules, and governance standards for listed companies. Understanding these processes helps clients plan capital-raising while controlling legal and financial risk.

2. Why You May Need a Lawyer

Engaging an equity capital markets attorney in Nea Erythraia can prevent costly missteps and align your strategy with Greek and EU rules. Here are concrete scenarios where legal counsel is essential:

• Planning an IPO or follow-on offering for a Nea Erythraia company that seeks list-eligibility on ATHEX. You need due diligence, drafting of the prospectus, and regulatory filing coordination with the Hellenic Capital Market Commission. A lawyer coordinates all documents, timelines, and communications with auditors and underwriters.
• Executing a private placement to institutional investors while complying with prospectus exemptions and disclosure obligations. A lawyer tailors private-placement documents and ensures alignment with EU and Greek rules to avoid misrepresentation or omittance risks.
• Managing a rights issue or other corporate action affecting listed shares. You must prepare offer documents, ensure fair treatment of existing shareholders, and meet ATHEX requirements for trading and settlement.
• Ensuring compliance with market abuse and insider trading rules under EU Regulation MAR. A lawyer helps implement internal controls, disclosure practices, and monitoring programs to reduce liability during volatile periods.
• Negotiating underwriting or sponsorship arrangements for public offers. A lawyer reviews engagement letters, fee structures, and liability allocation to protect the issuer and selling shareholders.
• Handling cross-border listings or dual listings involving EU or non-EU jurisdictions. A lawyer coordinates multi-jurisdictional disclosure, currency, and regulatory interaction to avoid conflicts or delays.

3. Local Laws Overview

The Greek ECM regime relies on a mix of EU regulations implemented in national law and Greek statutes. Here are the key formal sources you should know by name, with dates and relevance to equity capital markets:

• Regulation (EU) 2017/1129 on the prospectus to be published when securities are offered to the public or admitted to trading - commonly called the Prospectus Regulation. Effective since July 20, 2017. This regulation creates uniform EU requirements for prospectuses across member states, including Greece, and is implemented in national law through Greek legislative acts and amendments. See official EU references for the text and amendments.
• Regulation (EU) 596/2014 on market abuse (MAR) - defines prohibitions and enforcement mechanisms for insider dealing, market manipulation and disclosure obligations. Applicable from July 2016 after initial adoption in 2014. MAR requirements apply to Greek-listed issuers and market participants operating in Greece.
• Law 3556/2007 on Public Offers and Trading of Securities (the Capital Markets Act) - the national framework governing public offers, admission to trading on a regulated market, and related corporate governance matters. This law has been amended multiple times to reflect EU directives and evolving market practice. Originally enacted in 2007.
• Corporate governance and listed-company codes issued or updated by the Hellenic Capital Market Commission - Greece maintains a Corporate Governance Code for listed companies, periodically updated to reflect European standards and national market practices. Recent updates have addressed board independence, disclosure, and shareholder rights.

Recent changes and practical trends include increased focus on timely prospectus disclosures, enhanced governance requirements for listed issuers, and stricter market-abuse enforcement. For any listing project or capital-raising in Nea Erythraia, your legal team should track EU-level regulations and Greek implementing provisions that may affect the timeline and cost of issuance.

Sources such as the Hellenic Capital Market Commission and ATHEX publish updates on rules, guidelines, and official interpretations that affect ECM workflows. See the resources section for direct links to official authorities.

4. Frequently Asked Questions

What is an equity capital market prospectus?

How do I start a listing process on ATHEX in Greece?

When must a prospectus be published under Greek law?

Where can I file or submit ECM documents in Greece?

Why are MAR requirements important for my issuer?

Can a non-Greek company list on the Athens Exchange?

Should I hire a local Greek law firm or an international firm?

Do I need to appoint a sponsor or underwriter for a listing?

How much does an ECM transaction typically cost in Greece?

How long does the IPO process usually take in Greece?

Is there a difference between a rights issue and a private placement?

What ongoing reporting is required after listing on ATHEX?

5. Additional Resources

Here are official organizations and resources with explicit functions relevant to Equity Capital Markets in Greece. Use these for up-to-date guidance and regulatory texts.

• Hellenic Capital Market Commission (HCMC) - the national regulator overseeing Greek capital markets, licensing market professionals, reviewing prospectuses, and enforcing market rules. https://www.hcmc.gr/en
• Athens Exchange Group (ATHEX Group) - operates the regulated market and trading systems for Greek listed securities; sets listing requirements and market conduct expectations. https://www.athexgroup.gr/en
• European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA) - EU-wide supervisor and regulator providing guidance on cross-border market rules, prospectus templates, and supervision standards. https://www.esma.europa.eu

6. Next Steps

1. Define your ECM objective and choose the appropriate market (main market, growth market, or private placement). Clarify timeline, capital target, and investor base. This will shape your legal strategy and document set. Timeline: 1-2 weeks for planning.
2. Prepare a document checklist with corporate records, financial statements, and governance materials. Gather historically audited financials, material contracts, and material litigation disclosures. Timeline: 2-4 weeks depending on readiness.
3. Identify a Greek ECM lawyer or law firm with Athens-based experience in public offerings, listing and regulatory coordination. Request a scope of work, fee schedule, and references. Timeline: 1-2 weeks for initial contacts.
4. Schedule an initial consultation to discuss proposed structure, regulatory implications, and draft timeline. Bring your document checklist and ask about due diligence expectations. Timeline: 1 meeting or call.
5. Obtain an engagement letter and fee estimate from your chosen counsel, including milestones, responsibilities, and risk allocations. Timeline: 1 week after the consultation.
6. Develop a project plan and timeline with your lawyer, including anticipated regulatory review periods, auditor coordination, and investor roadshow planning. Timeline: 4-12 weeks for initial filings; longer for complex cases.